Bariatric Surgery

Living a healthier lifestyle and bariatric surgery go hand in hand in improving your quality of life. A healthy lifestyle is going to mean something different for each person, so it is important to get an understanding of what that means for you individually. Being “healthy” is not just about eating good and exercising, it is about a positive self-image, positive thinking, and surrounding yourself with the right people.…

For many bariatric patients the thought of going out to eat after surgery is intimidating and frightening. Thoughts of “I can't eat anything on here", "nothing on the menu is healthy" or "what if the way this is prepared makes me get sick" are all common concerns. Going out to dinner does not have to be something you dread, there just has to be a change in your mindset. Many…

Society tends to blame the failure to lose weight on lack of willpower, but the truth is much more complicated than that. In New York Times article, “Why Weight Loss Surgery Works When Diets Don’t”, Dr. Twells, a clinical epidemiologist, explains that “the overwhelming majority of patients who undergo bariatric surgery have spent many years trying – and failing – to lose weight and keep it off. And the…

Good nutrition is vital to a healthy lifestyle, especially after bariatric surgery. It is important that individuals who have had weight loss surgery consume a diet that is rich in protein and low in simple carbs and sugars. Lately, the staff at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City have been discussing the merits of various diets and one in particular has created a rather interesting dialogue – can a vegetarian…

For years we have heard that America’s obesity is higher than any other country on planet Earth. It is estimated that two-thirds of the United States is either obese or overweight. This has lead researchers to study the reasons and results of this epidemic. Studies have focused on causes (trauma, genetics, self-esteem, stress, availability, coping, etc.) and effects (health, depression, relationships, etc.). A recent study has found that this epidemic…

In working with our gastric bypass patients, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City has learned a few things about the weight loss journey. We know that obesity is not just a struggle with food. Those who struggle with obesity also struggle with physical activity. Exercise is difficult because most people today lead very sedentary lifestyles. Lack of exercise and movement counts as a major risk factor for chronic illnesses such…

Facilitator: Chris Bovos, RN, CBN : Chris spoke about Willpower, which most of us wish we had more of, to stop us from making choices that turn out to be bad for us. Since temptations never stop, it is important to understand that we can improve or strengthen our willpower. There has been a great deal of research regarding will power done by social workers and psychologists over the last…

Bariatric Surgery Promising for Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes A breakthrough in support of bariatric surgery for obese patients with diabetes was achieved recently when 48 multidisciplinary organizations came together to update existing diabetes treatment protocols to now include metabolic/bariatric surgery to control blood sugar and reduce cardiovascular risk! * Additionally, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) has developed important and helpful information on this…

Now that the New Year is right around the corner, it may be a good time for those among us battling extreme weight issues and obesity to consider “getting off the fence” and making a resolution to do something constructive about it. Consider the possibility that 2017 can be the year for many to start a new life geared toward better health and nutrition! Rivka Galchen recently wrote an excellent…